<center><big><b>Josh Pettitte</big></b>
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<b>High school:</b> Deer Park
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<b>College:</b> Rice
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<b>Credentials:</b> Pettitte transferred from Baylor last season to play for Wayne Graham, the same coach his father, Andy, played for at San Jacinto College before his long major-league career. With the younger Pettitte just a redshirt freshman, there's a chance he'll see action this spring with the Owls.</center> less

<center><big><b>Kacy Clemens</big></b>
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<b>High school:</b> Memorial
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<b>College:</b> Texas
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<b>Credentials:</b> Clemens played most of his freshman year at first base but is expected to spend more time on the mound this year for Texas. He is a pitcher to watch for No. 10 Texas, and not just because his father is Houston favorite Roger Clemens. </center> less

<center><big><b>Kacy Clemens</big></b>
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<b>High school:</b> Memorial
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<b>College:</b> Texas
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<b>Credentials:</b> Clemens played most of his freshman year at first base but is ... more

Photo: Jerry Baker / for the Chronicle

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<center><big><b>Jake Lemoine</big></b>
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<b>High school:</b> Bridge City
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<b>College:</b> Houston
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<b>Credentials:</b> Junior Jake Lemoine returns to the mound this spring as the most prominent pitcher in the American Athletic Conference. He competed internationally for USA Baseball last summer and performed well, the first to compete from Houston since Michael Bourn. He is highly decorated, and looks to anchor the Cougars veteran rotation this spring.</center> less

<center><big><b>Jordan Stephens</big></b>
<h3></h3>
<b>High school:</b> Alvin
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<b>College:</b> Rice
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<b>Credentials:</b> After he was shut down last season to undergo Tommy John surgery, the Owls anxiously await their ace's return to the hill sometime this spring. Stephens has accumulated 155 strikeouts and 8.11 K's/9 in three abbreviated seasons: a big reason he is a stalwart on the Rice pitching staff.</center> less

<center><big><b>Jordan Stephens</big></b>
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<b>High school:</b> Alvin
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<b>College:</b> Rice
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<b>Credentials:</b> After he was shut down last season to undergo Tommy John ... more

Photo: L. Scott Hainline / For The Chronicle

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<center><big><b>Jon Duplantier</big></b>
<h3></h3>
<b>High school:</b> Seven Lakes (Katy)
<h3></h3>
<b>College:</b> Rice
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<b>Credentials:</b> Rice looked to add more power to its pitching staff after Stephens went down last year. Duplantier provides that with velocity in the mid 90's and after an excellent summer, looks to anchor down the pitching situation until the return of Stephens.</center> less

<center><big><b>Dylan Dusek</big></b>
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<b>High school:</b> Kempner
<h3></h3>
<b>College:</b> Texas Tech
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<b>Credentials:</b>Dusek's sophomore year at Texas Tech will see him take on more responsibility. Dusek put up impressive numbers during his sophomore campaign; he went 8-0 and Tech went 13-1 when he started. The Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American also set a freshman Big 12 record with a 1.94 ERA. </center> less

<center><big><b>Dylan Dusek</big></b>
<h3></h3>
<b>High school:</b> Kempner
<h3></h3>
<b>College:</b> Texas Tech
<h3></h3>
<b>Credentials:</b>Dusek's sophomore year at Texas Tech will see him take on ... more

Photo: Courtesy Texas Tech / Courtesy Texas Tech

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<center><big><b>Andrew Lantrip</big></b>
<h3></h3>
<b>High school:</b> Livingston
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<b>College:</b> Houston
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<b>Credentials:</b> Lantrip carries the momentum of a highly decorated freshman campaign, one of the best in the program's history. The 2014 American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year had a 6-0 record last season, along with an impressive 1.87 ERA. He returns this spring to bolster an already potent Cougar pitching rotation.</center> less

<center><big><b>Ryan Burnett</big></b>
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<b>High school:</b> The Woodlands
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<b>College:</b> Texas Christian
<h3></h3>
<b>Credentials:</b> A southpaw, Burnett had 10 K's in 8 innings before an injury cost him his freshman season. Burnett comes back this spring as a medical redshirt, and looks to get healthy and prove himself in a TCU bullpen that is strong.</center> less

<center><big><b>Corbin Martin</big></b>
<h3></h3>
<b>High school:</b> Cy-Ranch
<h3></h3>
<b>College:</b> Texas A&M
<h3></h3>
<b>Credentials:</b> Martin is a versatile athlete who pitched, played outfield and quarterback for Cy-Ranch in high school. He is part of a strong recruiting class at A&M and according to coach Rob Childress, will be utilized on the mound. </center> less

<center><big><b>Travis Duke</big></b>
<h3></h3>
<b>High school:</b> Dawson
<h3></h3>
<b>College:</b> Texas
<h3></h3>
<b>Credentials:</b> Duke can expect to see more time in relief this year for Texas as he was called upon often during his freshman campaign. He recorded his first two career saves in the College World Series and will be utilized most in clutch situations this season.</center> less

<center><big><b>Travis Duke</big></b>
<h3></h3>
<b>High school:</b> Dawson
<h3></h3>
<b>College:</b> Texas
<h3></h3>
<b>Credentials:</b> Duke can expect to see more time in relief this year for Texas as ... more

Photo: Michael Thomas / Associated Press

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10 local pitchers to watch this college baseball season

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The college baseball season is off and running and Texas universities are at the forefront of the power rankings. Houston and Texas Tech begin the season with their highest Baseball America preseason rankings – No. 3 and No. 5, respectively. Meanwhile, TCU, Texas, Rice and Texas A&M are among the top 25 teams according to various ranking systems.

A potent pitching rotation and a deep bullpen are required for these teams to be so competitive. However, these colleges did not have to look far to find superior talent as many of these aces and closers are from the Houston area.

Check out the gallery above to see 10 local pitchers you should keep an eye on this college baseball season.